Bill > H0879

This bill proposes to establish the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program to replace the General Assistance Emergency Housing Program. The key provisions of the bill include: - Creating an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) on the implementation, administration, and operation of the program from the perspective of individuals with lived experience of homelessness. - Defining the eligibility criteria for the program, which includes individuals who are 60 years or older, have a disability, are experiencing a serious short-term medical condition, are children under 19, are in the third trimester of pregnancy, have recently experienced the death of a spouse/partner, a natural disaster, a court-ordered eviction, or domestic violence. - Establishing maximum days of eligibility for the program, which varies based on the statewide rental vacancy rate. - Requiring participating households to engage in coordinated entry and case management processes, unless the head of household has a disability that prevents their ability to do so. - Mandating monthly reporting requirements for the DCF on various metrics related to the program's operation. - Providing shelter to households lacking a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence during adverse winter weather conditions, with such shelter not counting toward the maximum days of eligibility. - Creating an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Task Force to provide recommendations to the General Assembly on the statewide and local operation and administration of the program. The bill also repeals the existing General Assistance Emergency Housing Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Human Services (House)

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.879